Colorado Town Legalizes Marijuana

Popular ski destination votes to remove penalties for adult marijuana possession BRECKENRIDGE, CO — On Nov. 3, 2009, the high-profile Colorado tourist destination of Breckenridge voted by a margin of 73% to 27% (with 96% of precincts reporting) to legalize the adult possession of marijuana. In a decisive victory, Breckenridge voters passed Measure 2F which removes criminal penalties from the Breckenridge Town Code for the private possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and older. In a cutting edge move, the ordinance also removes criminal penalties for the possession of drug paraphernalia. This is the first ordinance change in Colorado-- and likely national-- history to remove penalties for both marijuana and associated paraphernalia. "This votes demonstrates that Breckenridge citizens overwhelmingly believe that adults should not be punished for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol," said Sean McAllister, Breckenridge attorney and chair of Sensible Breckenridge. "As state and national focus grows on this important issue, the popular ski town of Breckenridge has taken center stage on marijuana reform-- and not just for medical purposes," said Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado, the statewide nonprofit which assisted the local effort. "With this historic vote, Breckenridge has emerged as a national leader in sensible drug policy" The campaign, which had no formal opposition, received a chorus of local support including endorsements from Breckenridge Town Councilman Jeffrey Bergeron, Fmr. Colorado State Representative and Breckenridge resident, Gary Lindstrom, and the Summit Daily News. Measure 2F was placed on the ballot when over 1400 local supporters signed a petition supporting the reform measure. The ordinance change will go into effect on January 1, 2010.